No plans to raise gas and electricity prices: Adviser

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan has said that the government has no plans to increase gas and electricity prices at this moment.

He stated that despite the ongoing crisis, the government made this decision in the public interest. He also mentioned that tenders have been floated for drilling five gas wells in Bhola.

The adviser made these remarks on Wednesday after a meeting with businessmen regarding gas supply to industrial factories.

The adviser said, “To increase domestic gas production, a decision has been made to import LNG. Of the 1,200 megawatts of electricity that was allocated during Ramadan, 150 megawatts will now be supplied to industrial factories.”

He added, “Between May and August, a total of 100 LNG cargoes will be imported. The electricity generated from this supply will be allocated to industrial factories. As a result of these two decisions, an additional 250 MMCF (million cubic feet) of gas will be available for industrial use.”

Faozul Kabir further said that 50 gas wells will be drilled this year, and 100 more next year. These wells are expected to yield 500 MMCF of gas.